San Francisco - Approch to SFO - Any chance to see the Golden Gate Bridge?

Hi,

I 'll fly to SFO from SEA soon and wanted to know on which side of the plane I'll have the best chances to have a good view onto San Francisco and the Golden Gate Bridge? Looked on google maps already, but couldn't draw conclusions out of this.
May be someone who is more exprienced in flying to SFO in the morning could give me some advice? :)

I just flew into SFO in December. I think we came in over the bay from the southeast, so we couldn't see the bridge. Not sure if that is the normal landing pattern or not though.

The normal arrival to SFO from SEA is over Point Reyes, then the "Golden Gate 5" standard arrival. In that case, you'll probably be better sitting on the right side (assuming that morning fog has not covered the G.G. Bridge). Normally a/c on this arrival are directed over the NE side of S.F. and down the Peninsula, over the W. side of S.F. Bay, as far south as needed until NorCal Approach Control can "build a space" for your flight to fit in with those approaching SFO from the S. and E. Those seated on the left will have a view of the Bay Bridge, as well as the San Mateo Bridge, prior to the right turn N. for landing at SFO.

(With moderator hat on: for more discussion, I'll move this to the Travel->San Francisco forum. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, TravelBuzz.)

Thank you! ^

So if I got you right, the planes bascially fly straight over the bridge, but on C/D seats, I'll have a better chance to see it, yeah?

Generally not straight over the bridge, but a little to the left (Southeast) of it. That's why I suggested sitting in the right window seat. But the actual course depends on how much traffic the approach controller has and where that traffic is. Your experience could vary.

I've been on the route many times. If the weather (and that includes winds) are in the more normal direction, the A window (left) is usually best. But this can vary. You'll be making a decent leftish turn about that point (near the GG Bridge), but you will generally cut over the city just south of it and head over the bay, before you go most of the way to San Jose, and make a U-turn going back north to land. If you are on the "A" side, you will see the Sonoma and Napa areas, the North Bay, if it is clear, you can see much of the way to Sacramento.

For those of you coming from the south or east, ignore all of this!

I've been on the route many times. If the weather (and that includes winds) are in the more normal direction, the A window (left) is usually best. But this can vary. You'll be making a decent leftish turn about that point (near the GG Bridge), but you will generally cut over the city just south of it and head over the bay, before you go most of the way to San Jose, and make a U-turn going back north to land. If you are on the "A" side, you will see the Sonoma and Napa areas, the North Bay, if it is clear, you can see much of the way to Sacramento.

For those of you coming from the south or east, ignore all of this!

Concur. It also gives you the best volcano views on the way down.

Just flew SEA-SFO last week on the A side of the plane. Had spectacular views of all the items described in this thread including the GG Bridge, the City, and Wine Country. Reminded me why I love living here :)

IME the bridge has usually been on the left. But it's often shrouded in fog anyhow.

Really appreciate your help, guys! :)

Another vote for the ABC side. Looking to the left on that route can be spectacular on the way down, and there is a good chance you'll have the better views once you get to Marin.

Hello - I'm doing a night flight from LAX-SFO, will there be an opportunity to see the GG Bridge? If so, which side of the plane should I sit on? This is my first visit to SF in a long time, I'm really excited! Thanks!:p

Hello - I'm doing a night flight from LAX-SFO, will there be an opportunity to see the GG Bridge? If so, which side of the plane should I sit on? This is my first visit to SF in a long time, I'm really excited! Thanks!:p

Unfortunately, your arrival view isn't that exciting. What is exciting is watching people in the F windows thinking they are going to land in the bay on approach.

Dutch33, welcome to FlyerTalk. Agree that if you're flying LAX->SFO and on the standard "Big Sur" approach, and the visibility's decent, you'll have the Dumbarton and San Mateo Bridges off to the right side of the a/c; maybe a distant view of part of the Bay Bridge, 20 miles NNE, but no Golden Gate.

However, if you do the "Hadly" arrival to SFO from LA, good news and bad news: The good news is that you'll fly over the top of S.F., just S. of the G.G. Bridge and continue in an arc over the toll plaza of the Bay Bridge, then turn S. to land on runway 19L/R at SFO. The bad news is that this approach is flown when the winds are from the South and when that happens, there's most often rain or clouds obscuring the Bridge views.

The bad news is that this approach is flown when the winds are from the South and when that happens, there's most often rain or clouds obscuring the Bridge views.

The worse news is on an LAX flight, your flight has already been delayed at least 2 hours with this approach.

Thanks for the info. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a "Big Sur" approach!

The worse news is on an LAX flight, your flight has already been delayed at least 2 hours with this approach.

Oh no. I'll be hoping for good weather as our evening flight is originating from YYZ thru LAX to SFO. Thanks for the heads up.